Copa America: Ecuador beat Jamaica to keep quarterfinal hopes alive

Las Vegas: Ecuador kept their hopes of qualifying for the Copa America quarterfinals alive with a 3-1 win over Jamaica in Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Ecuador went ahead in the 13th minute via a Jamaica own goal, when Piero Hincapie's cross from the left was deflected off Kasey Palmer's shin into the net.

The South Americans doubled the lead via a Kendry Paez penalty kick just before the interval after a handball by Gregory Leigh, before Alan Minda killed off the contest in the 91st minute with a goal from a classic counter-attack.

Jamaica halved the deficit shortly after half-time, scoring their first-ever Copa America goal in their eighth match in the tournament following a corner. 

Ethan Pinnock's effort was blocked by the Ecuador defence but the rebound fell to Michail Antonio, who rifled the ball into the net.

They thought they had earned a penalty themselves in the 73rd minute when referee Cristian Garay was sent to the monitor to check for a possible handball by Alan Franco, but the referee decided not to award a spot kick.

Victory gave Ecuador, who were beaten by Venezuela in their Group B opener, their first points of the tournament.

The top two teams from the group will progress to the quarterfinals.